While no one wants to sit around thinking about the possibility of experiencing a personal injury, these incidents happen to millions of people in the United States each year.
Some people are fortunate and avoid serious harm if involved in a car accident, slip or fall incident, or dog bite debacle. But many experience personal injuries that require doctor or hospital visits, physiotherapy, surgery, time off work, and more.
If you become another statistic, contacting a personal injury lawyer is a must. You don’t want to try going toe-to-toe with insurance companies that know the personal injury claim process inside and out and will fight tooth and nail to avoid paying compensation. Even if they do offer something, you can bet it’ll be a bargain-basement amount.
That’s why you need a personal injury lawyer. Compensation needs to reflect the seriousness of the injuries, medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, and ongoing needs if you’re left with long-term or life-long issues to contend with. A legal professional will boost your chances of getting a fair offer that meets your needs now and going forward.
But here’s the thing. If you want the best results, you must get out of your own way. While an experienced personal injury lawyer can work wonders, you should avoid these three mistakes for a good outcome.
Mistake #1: Exaggerating Your Injuries
While it should be obvious that exaggerating injuries — or outright lying — is a no-no, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. This type of dishonesty is one reason insurers often leave no stone unturned in combing over personal injury claims. They use a fine-tooth comb to consider all the particulars and stop dishonest parties in their tracks.
One reason to seek medical attention after an accident is that you need medical records to document whatever issues you’re experiencing. Your doctor will also recommend not only follow-ups but also appointments with specialists and maybe even surgery. Specialists can conduct tests to verify injuries and the extent of the injuries and resulting pain.
Mistake #2: Failing to See Your Doctor Right Away
After an accident, it’s essential to see a doctor right away. Failing to do so or waiting too long is one of the worst things you can do.
Any personal injury lawyer will inform you that seeing a doctor is essential. When filing a personal injury claim, your lawyer needs all medical records. Otherwise, you’ll have difficulty getting the insurance company to budge. It’s in your best interests to see a doctor following an accident so there’s documented proof you sought medical care.
You must do this whether or not you feel injured after a slip, trip, or fall incident, a car accident, or some other mishap. After an accident, you might not feel anything at first. That’s why you must see a doctor whether or not you feel worse for the wear after a mishap.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Advice From Your Doctor
Going to your doctor for an initial checkup isn’t enough. You must attend follow-up appointments. Otherwise, the insurance company could use the lack of medical treatment against you. It might insist that you would have sought out your doctor if seriously injured.
You can bet your personal injury lawyer will insist you follow your doctor’s recommendations. Failing to do so could derail your personal injury claim despite your lawyer’s best efforts. It’s hard enough to get a good offer from an insurance company when you have all your ducks in a row. It’s even more difficult if you don’t follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Avoid these mistakes at all costs to increase your odds of a good offer. Retaining a reputable and experienced personal injury lawyer will help. But you don’t want to ruin things by making any of these mistakes.
